Sunday, August 29, 2010

Dark Day Forty Three Years Ago

I would like to dedicate this post to my first husband Larry Staley.  As you can see from this old photo Larry opened the Bank of Las Vegas branch in Overton, Nevada on January 30, 1965.  Larry started his banking career as a messenger boy at age nineteen for Walker Bank in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

Larry was born in Twin Falls, Idaho and moved to Salt Lake City, Utah at age 12.  He graduated from Granite High School. We were married on September 30, 1960.

Larry started his banking career in 1957 working for the Walker Bank & Trust Company.  During the five years that he was with Walker Bank, Larry worked in every department.  Leaving Walker in 1961, he went to work for the Beehive Stake Bank in Grantsville, Utah as Branch Manager.  Larry was loved by all who worked with him and for him.

We moved to Grantsville, Utah and lived there for three years and added Bret and Garen to our family.  He applied for a job with the Bank of Las Vegas in 1963 and was hired and he worked in a Las Vegas branch until the Overton Branch was built.  We moved to Overton, Nevada where Larry managed the bank until that dark day of August 29, 1967.  A day that would forever change my life.  He was 28 and I was 26.  He accomplished a lot in those 28 years, and I feel would have advanced to even higher positions in banking.

A local man Terry Conger from Moapa robbed the bank and shot all three people working that day.  Larry and his two women Tellers, Vera Walkington, and Betty Heitman were all killed that dark, sad day. Their bodies lay in the Vault except for Vera and it looked like she had tried to run and was laying out by the teller's desks.  A husband and father of three, two mothers each with two daughters were taken from their families.  The town people were saddened and outraged that this could happen in our small, quiet community.  Never in any of their minds could something like this happen here in our valley.  Terry Conger was caught the next day, and later after a trial was given a sentence of three life sentences.  He died in prison a few years ago of cancer complications.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

New G. Grandson

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Braxton Thomas Hardy
G. Grandma and Braxton

Braxton Thomas  and G.Grandma Merritt

Braxton Thomas Hardy was born on August 19, at 9.59 AM and weighed 7 lbs 15 oz.  We were sitting on pins and needles for a couple of days waiting for the event to take place and I was so happy when I received the phone call that Braxton was born.  His grandma told me that he came out with a good set of lungs as I could hear him in the background as she was talking to me on the phone. 

We were able to go over to Mesquite and see him yesterday and I was thrilled to hold him.  He seemed so small after being around Rozlynn.  Robyn, his Mom is doing really well. Braxton is so precious and can you call a boy beautiful?  Robyn didn't have to have any stitches, and was up and about her room not too long after he was born, and the next day she went home with her gift from God.  It is so different from way back when I had my babies.

Which takes me back 49 years ago today at 8 PM I had my first baby a daughter. She weighed 8 lbs 3 oz. It was so different then as they didn't give you anything but a whiff of gas with each pain.  I was in the hospital for almost a week, but I did have some complications and had to stay a little longer than usual.  Wow, 49 years ago, no wonder I am the one feeling ancient on this day and not my daughter. It doesn't seem to bother her that she is 49, but we will see when the shock of 50 hits next year.  She is beautiful and really doesn't show her age, she looks much younger.  So HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHERRY!! I love you bunches and bunches.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

New Great Grandson - August 19

Braxton Thomas Hardy was born this morning at 9:59 AM.  Robyn called me yesterday from the hospital and said they were going to induce labor and hopefully a baby would be born soon.  I thought that he would be born that afternoon, but it wasn't until this morning that I got the call from Lori.

Jamie went over to Mesquite to see him and took this picture with her phone and then e-mailed it to me.  He is so cute especially for a new born baby.  Robyn was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen.  She looked like a rosy cheeked doll. So it is no surprise that she has had a beautiful baby.

Since Braxton has a hat on his black hair is covered up.  Lori said that he had tons of black hair.  I could hear him crying and Lori said he came out that way.  So he has a good set of lungs.  I can't wait to see him, but I will wait until Robyn gets home and hopefully will get some badly needed rest, then I will go over to Mesquite next week sometime to see him.  It is so neat to have another g. grandson in the family.  Mom and baby are doing great.

I had to add this picture of Braxton as it shows all that beautiful black hair.  We could see his black hair in the Ultra Sound that Robyn had a few months ago so I was sure he would have a lot of hair when he was born..  He is so sweet, and I can't wait to hold him next week.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Dreaming & Waiting for Good News

Yesterday Frank and I went to St. George to Dr. Hall our dentist who fits us with our Sleep Apnea Appliances.  We went a little early so we could have dinner with my St. George cousins.  We all met at Olive Garden and we visited, ate good food, and most of all had some good laughs.  Frank let me stay a little longer and he headed over to the doctor's office.  When I arrived, he was getting ready to get his x-ray.  Dr. Hall came out to the waiting room to check on me and he told me that they were going to have to do something a little different with Frank's sleep appliance, and thinks it will be successful in Frank's situation.  I sure hope so.

There is never a day go by that I don't think about my son's estranged family.  I wish I could just let it go and not let it eat at me.  I had a dream last night where I went to a home and it was my son's home.  His wife was there and she was friendly and was beautiful.  I asked if we could forget the past and we agreed to let it go and be friends again.  Then as usual there were weird things going on, places I have never seen, etc. and I woke up, feeling empty inside. Maybe this dream is taking place in the next life?

This estrangement has been going on for five years now, and my grand kids have all grown up, and are busy in high school, and two are married, and I have three g.grandsons whom I have never seen except in pictures.  Life can be so cruel.  I have never fully understood what happened, except I was accused of never being there for the kids.  Which brings up the question of what is expected of a grandmother?  Am I supposed to keep a schedule of 15 grand children's activities and attend them all?  How about forgetting a birthday now and then?  Especially when I was in the middle of building a new home, and my birthday calendar had been put in storage.

Am I the one who is supposed to call all the time and check on them?  During this time I was sick, and come to find out I had Diabetes, after having pneumonia, and just being sick all the time. Did I get a phone call to see what was going on in my life, no that didn't happen. I could count the times on one hand that my son called me to just say hello, or for other occasions. Oh and I had a bad disk in my back that gave me a great deal of pain, and it was very hard to sit on bleachers at the kids games, etc. Of course there were other factors in all of this, and I will take blame for my part, but to be judged so harshly is beyond my understanding.  I would have never done this to my in-laws.  I always thought families could be more forgiving. 

I have had several dreams along the same theme as I described, and this just makes me know that I am not letting it go even as hard as I am trying.  I always wanted a happy family that did things together, laughed together, cried together, etc.  My growing up family was a very dysfunctional, alcoholic family and I was a very unhappy child through adulthood.  Then I married a wonderful man with a wonderful family that I had always dreamed of.  I loved my in-laws very much and they took the place of my parents.  This was all taken away upon the death of my first husband at the ages of 26 and 28. 

I raised my kids the best I could under the circumstances.  Having grown up in a dysfunctional family I didn't have any role models to be a good parent.  Thank heavens for my church as I was taught how to be a good mother.  I tried my best to be a good Mom, but we all make mistakes, some big and some small.  I am grateful for a son and daughter who love me and do good things for me.  I am also grateful for step children and their children who treat me as a blood relative.  I love them dearly, but there still is something missing in my life and that is the estranged family.  I am grateful for a wonderful husband who takes the pain away, and we are so compatible. 

I don't know why I wanted to blog something so personal, but it is a part of my life and that is what this blog is about.  Maybe someone who may drop by and read this, is in the same situation and has some good advice on how they have handled their situation. 

Now for the good news, my grand daughter is in the hospital with induced labor and I should have another g. grandson soon.  We are anxiously waiting for the good news. She called me this morning to let me know she was in the hospital.  She is one of my step-children's daughters and I am so grateful for her. I had to end this on a good news basis.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Results are in

The nurse from Dr. Gorman's office called Tuesday and said everything in my blood work was good except for my A1C test (Diabetic Test).  It was too high, so I guess this is a lot of my problem.  No surprise to me the way I have been eating.  I get so tired of having to think about everything that goes into my mouth, and I think I get rebellious at times and think to myself  "to heck with it I am going to eat this candy or goody, and even a potato, or bread and just enjoy it."  Then when I feel lousy after an hour or so, I wonder why? 

So the doctor's orders were DIET AND EXERCISE.  Do you ever get sick of hearing this same scenario over and over again.  It is so hard to change eating habits even when you know it is important to do so for your health.  Maybe if I would turn off all the TV advertisements that would help.  Like when I see the Dairy Queen ad for a Blizzard, all I can think about for days is my favorite Heath Bar Crunch with a little chocolate syrup.  I am sure glad there are no Dairy Queens here in our valley as I do have some really weak moments.

I know Diabetics can have treats if they are planned for. To me it is like counting calories except it is carbs that is the death sentence for a Diabetic.  I have always hated diets where you had to count calories, to me it was just too hard, so counting carbs is the same as counting calories.  Oh well, if I want to feel better, then I have to watch what I eat, and get back on my dreadmill.  At least I have a TV and I can watch movies as I walk for 30 minutes, and I know I have to cut back on that white stuff high in carbs. Why is it that all the foods that tastes good to me are really bad for me?  I have already started the routine of watching what I eat, and walking on the dreadmill, and I have added vitamins to the list.  I am feeling a little better so I guess it is working.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Daily Life with the Merritts

I can't believe how fast the time is flying by, and I am glad as I can't wait for Fall and the weather to cool off.  It is going to be close to 110 here in our valley today.  I HATE THE HEAT!!! 

Last Saturday Frank had another follow up doctor appointment and Dr. Duke said that his back was healing, but has a lot of healing to do.  Frank asked what his limitations are and Dr. Duke said that he can lift, but still no twisting, and to be careful.  He told Frank that by next summer he should be able to golf, and that made Frank's day.

I took this picture off from my facebook page as it is so dang cute of Rozlynn.  It is much clearer on my facebook.  After Frank's doctor appointment we went to Sherry's condo to drop off her mail.  Her friend Tracy from California was visiting.  She is a professional photographer and she took a lot of pictures of Rozlynn.  Tracy took a few of Frank and I, and I am waiting to see them.  I take such bad pictures, and I hate to have my picture taken.  So we will see how they turn out.   Tracy took the pictures home to work with them on her computer.  Probably so she can make me look better. LOL


I think I have already posted this picture.  I get facebook and my blog mixed up on what I have posted.  Any way this is my favorite and Renee's too as Grandpa finally won Rozlynn over.  Every time we would visit Renee and Rozlynn would see Frank, she would get big tears in her eyes as she was afraid of him.  We never have figured out why, but Frank said he would win her over, and he sure did.  It made him feel great to be able to hold Rozlynn and make her laugh.

On another note, I have been feeling really  lousy, so Frank made me an appointment with our general doctor here in the valley.  I get so fatigued that my legs feel like they won't hold me up and I have to go and lay down.  Of course there was blood work done, and they won't have the results until Monday.  The last thing the doctor and I talked about was depression, and I told him I was depressed but was that because of being so fatigued, or the other way around?  So it will be a ruling out process, first the blood work to make sure their isn't any underlying problem, then if there isn't, a discussion on what medication to take for depression.  I feel like a walking pill bottle, a pill for this and a pill for that.  Frank wants to take me on a little trip, and hopes that will lift my spirits and maybe it would, but I told him I didn't know if I wanted to go and the reason is being so tired and not wanting to do anything.  So we will see what happens.